Arborvitae damage advice - Ask Extension
I was away and when I came home last week, my arborvitae was damaged I believe from wind storms. There are two large limbs at the bottom that have spl...
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Arborvitae damage advice #865629
Asked April 23, 2024, 3:46 PM EDT
I was away and when I came home last week, my arborvitae was damaged I believe from wind storms. There are two large limbs at the bottom that have split from the main trunk as seen in photos. Should I just remove the damaged branches and will they regrow? It's upsetting since it will leave a large gap in the tree structure. Thanks!
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
They will not mend and heal, so need to be removed by pruning them off with a clean cut. (Do not cut a branch flush with the trunk, and do not use any type of sealant/tar/paint on the cut stub.) If the branches surrounding the gap remain healthy, they may be able to hide the gap somewhat in time, since they will get a bit more light from the missing branch section.
Miri
Miri
Thank you for the prompt reply! Is there anything I should be doing to prevent such damage in the future? I have 5 of these trees adjacent to this one and it was difficult to see this.
We understand your concern.
One thing you can do for your trees is offer them supplemental water when we don't get enough rain.
Last season we had several weeks of serious drought in central Maryland and it was stressful for many trees.
You could also check how deep that mulch layer is, and keep it pulled back from contact with the trunks. Mulch shouldn't be more than 3-4 inches deep, and you should be able to see a gentle widening or flare before the tree goes into the ground- it should not go in straight like a telephone pole.
If they do, it means they are either planted or mulched too deeply. See more about that here:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mulching-trees-and-shrubs/
If you are concerned about the health of your trees, you could contact a certified arborist to assess the trees and perhaps even use specialized equipment (air spade) that can reveal the root collar, the flared/widened area where the roots meet the trunk. Most larger tree companies have certified arborists on staff or you can search for one at the credentialing agency at http://www.treesaregood.org.
Christine
One thing you can do for your trees is offer them supplemental water when we don't get enough rain.
Last season we had several weeks of serious drought in central Maryland and it was stressful for many trees.
You could also check how deep that mulch layer is, and keep it pulled back from contact with the trunks. Mulch shouldn't be more than 3-4 inches deep, and you should be able to see a gentle widening or flare before the tree goes into the ground- it should not go in straight like a telephone pole.
If they do, it means they are either planted or mulched too deeply. See more about that here:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mulching-trees-and-shrubs/
If you are concerned about the health of your trees, you could contact a certified arborist to assess the trees and perhaps even use specialized equipment (air spade) that can reveal the root collar, the flared/widened area where the roots meet the trunk. Most larger tree companies have certified arborists on staff or you can search for one at the credentialing agency at http://www.treesaregood.org.
Christine
